Apple's new touchscreen technology and 'sexy' OS revealed

It was inevitable that Apple would try and pull out all the stops with its latest touchscreen technology and the operating system to go with it.

According to one industry source, speaking to Business Insider, it will be different from the current Mac offerings, but similar to what the iPhone has but with enhancements appropiate for a larger screen.

"The UI has a good bit of new sexy to it ... it's a big iPhone, but it's not just a big iPhone," the source said.

Moving onto the patent, Apple's latest is perhaps further testament to just how much work has gone into the much hyped 'MacBook' (which, by the way, isn't its actual name) and the technology itself.

Of course, only time will tell if the finished product is that much better, but judging by the patents published yesterday morning by the US Patent and Trademark Office Apple looks to at least be pushing the bar higher when it comes to touchscreen displays.

So what does the patent show? According to Patently Apple, “Apple’s patent, in general, could only be truly appreciated by someone with a Ph.D in this particular discipline." Crikey.

In layman terms, the patent seems to outline a few key points. The first allows the touchscreen to sense touches near the display, not just on it. This would allow more of a device to be used, and would help stop fingers blocking the screen on things like the iPod touch when playing games.

The second part of the patent essentially means displays for all Apple devices could be thinner, as a part of the original hardware is no longer needed. Touch-screens at the moment need an image generator and a touch sensor on each touchable part of the screen.

However, the patent outlines that this will no longer be the case. The dual-pixel technology can do both the drawing and sensing, meaning there is only need for one not the usual two bits of hardware.

Thirdly, Apple has incorporated a well-known technology called Low Temperature Polycrystalline silicon.

Without getting too technical, it allows for smaller but brighter screens, and when coupled with an in-plane switching LCD also mentioned in the patent (the ability to view a screen at different angles), it should mean all Apple devices are all a lot easier to view.

Not sure how many would want screens to get smaller no matter how bright and crisp they are, though.

Sadly none of us has a PhD in the relevant field to fully assess the patents illustrated below, but whatever it all means it sounds like Apple will once again set the pace.

HP and Microsoft, your move.